The United States is closely observing the situation arising from the amassing of Myanmar Border Guard Police (BGP) and army members along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. Replying to a question during the regular briefing on Thursday, spokesperson for US State Department Heather Nauert said “I can just tell you that we’re watching that carefully. I can certainly understand that would be a concern of the government of Bangladesh, but we’re watching that one closely.” Following the deployment of additional BGP and army members, with heavy arms, along the border by Myanmar, Dhaka protested the move by summoning the Myanmar ambassador. A protest note was handed over to the Myanmar Ambassador over the incident. Such military buildup would create confusion in Bangladesh and escalate tensions on the border, the Myanmar envoy was told.

Myanmar border police fired shots in the air on their side of the Tambru border at Naikkhyangchharhi in Bandarban on Thursday evening. Around 7,000 Rohingyas have been living in no man’s land in Tambru area since Myanmar launched a military operation in the Rakhine State on Aug 25 last year. Myanmar’s latest move threatens the Rohingyas living along the Tambru border.